Eriq La Salle to direct ‘ER’ episode

Long-running NBC drama enters final season

Original “ER” cast member Eriq La Salle is returning to the show — as a director.

La Salle, who left the series in 2002 to write and direct TV and features, has been set to direct an episode of the long-running NBC drama that will air in February. This is the show’s final season.

“In the years since Eriq left ‘ER’ he’s established himself as a very accomplished director,” the show’s exec producer David Zabel said. “We’re all thrilled to have him contributing a different talent to a show that he’s already contributed so much to.”

La Salle’s recent directing credits include two episodes of “Law & Order: SVU” and “Without A Trace.” as well as the HBO film “Rebound.” La Salle’s next on-camera appearance comes when he stars in Hallmark Channel’s “Relative Stranger,” which airs next March.